Our FIRST Graduation...

I think it goes without saying that I have become a TERRIBLE blogger this year. The kids started school, I went back to work full time... blah blah..... life..... blah blah ;). You know how it goes. But man, I miss it. I also know that the kiddos are not going to be too pleased with me when they see this big old gap in their life story. A gap, in a time when I really should have been blogging! I mean, so much has happened this year, it's insane. Insane, but amazing.

As I sat in awe watching them "graduate" from T Kindergarten this morning. I couldn't help but just beam with pride. We have come so incredibly far. So. Incredibly. Far. Not too long ago our lives were consumed with sleepless nights, oxygen tanks, apnea alarms, reflux episodes, developmental delays, poop and vaseline nightmares, non stop worry and just straight up survival. TODAY I smiled looking on at our 4 happy, healthy, bright, 6 year old INDIVIDUALS. I mean, wow. Where has the time gone?

I made a little video for Conor (he was traveling for work) and thought I would share it with y'all. It's filled with photos and video clips of our day. Hope you like it! A special thanks to Nani and sister Lou Lou for making this milestone extra special.

XOXO

Gen 

Happy 6th Birthday (7 days late...)

The kids officially moved into the two-handed age tally status last weekend.  Can't say exactly where the last 2,190 days went, but we're thankful and very blessed with four great kids that make every day an adventure.

We celebrated with a big b-day bash for the gang, and the kids had a blast hosting friends, family, and classmates at the house.  Pretty sure they are just now coming down from the euphoric/sugar high....

Gen captured some nice birthday/Mother's Day moments in the montage below.Thank you to everyone who has helped support, raise, mold, and love our quartet - we're grateful for it every day.

The Hypocritical Oath

I have to admit - more often than not I find myself in an awkward and familiar parental position.   Our four curious kids love to ask "Why?" to about every request, statement, or decision. Sadly,  my response is usually just thinly-veiled variation of "Do as I say, not as I do."  Gen takes great delight in pointing out these instances, and I can't disagree in the slightest.


I promise to support good eating habits, and a need to try everything on your plate - even though I spent years perfecting a gag-and-dry-heave-on-command talent to avoid the same things growing up (Sorry again Grandma Deb).

"Stop staring at me....broccoli..."

I promise to enforce bedtime at a decent hour - but still can't come up with a good/logical response to the nightly question of "it's still light outside - why do we have to 'go night-night' ?" 

Mo-Mo - 5 going on 15

I promise to be strict and encourage appropriate behavior and respect for others.  But to be honest, some time outs are just an excuse for mom & dad to stifle the urge to laugh and get the "game face" back on.

I promise to take gratuitous photos and force you to smile, to the point of being obnoxious, even though I personally avoid them like the plague.

Post-dentist visit, cavity free, - but acting like they're in pain.  I know the feeling dudes...

Despite the promise to enforce healthy eating habits, I promise to let you live a little and enjoy the occasional treat.  Mostly it makes me feel better about the my own vice as well...

New roommates enjoyin' a few of the ol' 31 flavors

I promise to make you resolve arguments and disagreements quickly, and with love - while I struggle to do the same time and again (thanks for the daily lessons y'all).

Ally & Libby - Teammates, Roommates, Siblings - and they fight like each as well =)

Despite being a hypocrite at times, I take comfort and delight in  knowing they will grow up to be hypocrites with their own kids.  And that's a good thing, right? 

Have a great week!  

February Fears, March Madness, & April....er...A-Something...

Been way too long since the last post - we chalk it up to a few very challenging months, a TON of life changes.  The reader's digest version goes something like...

• Struggled with reoccurring health issues (both Russ & Gen)
• Challenged with developmental & educational milestones for the kids
• Weighed the odds of moving the family (short & long term)
• Weighed the impact of moving the kids to a new school for next year (they love their current school/class)
• Took a leap of faith and made the decision to move "up the hill"
• Entered the chaos of selling the house, packing, and prepping for a move (ughh.....)
• Found a great new house and just finished moving this past weekend (yay!)

Will explain in much more detail soon, but it's been a whirlwind 2012 to date.  The good news is the kids (well, three out of four...) haven't skipped a beat and are embracing the changes with open arms.  No shortage of independence and attitude from these four, and our house should be wired for the awesome sound bites produced on an hourly basis.

We leave with you with a few gems from the past few weeks that keep us laughing and a reminder not to take things so seriously.

"I want the assorted colors - so if I throw up, I get to see ALL of them....not just one." 

Russ' response, when asked what kind of candy he wanted at the movies 
for his special day out with Dad

"Guess What?  I'm Super Hero of the Month!"
 Libby, who's beaming with pride since being awarded with the prestigious title in her class for great behavior, attendance, and performance.  Tells everyone she meets these days...

"Daddy - how do you say Poop in Spanish?"
Molly, our bilingually curious daughter.  Pretty sure Dora didn't cover this one.

"You guys are KILLING me with all these changes!"
Ally, who clings to "Big Teddy" for comfort through the transitions.  

Here's to an April ascent, and good things on the horizon.  

Happy Tuesday, hope all is well with you and yours!

Thank Heaven for Little Libs

Since birth, Libby has exhibited a quirky and easy-to-love personality. The kid is happy 99% of the time and seems to have endless energy to expend while skipping around, making her siblings laugh, and running around like a real-life windup toy all day.  Even when sick, she has a sweet disposition and just wants to cuddle with mom or dad.

Finding the video below recently made a ton of memories come flooding back.  Despite being adorable -  Libs is THE kid no one wants to mess with in our house.  When she turns to the dark side, watch out.  Hell hath no fury like Elizabeth Dolores scorned in Quadville!

  

In any case, we love the many faces of Libby.. 

Mischief 

The Suck-Up =)

Rose-cheeked happiness

Angelic and Content (with Uncle Mike)

Guilty...but cute

"Stinkface"

Not Amused

Knows she's winning points with Dad
(seriously - she's the only one who will sit and watch a game with me.)

In Love
 (with every cartoon animal/stuffed pet she meets)

Pure Joy

Libs - we hope your smiles never fade and you keep your love for life.  You make it fun for everyone around you!

101 Ways to Hug it Out

With Gen out of town this past week (hanging with the Steece gang in TX), it's been a welcome chance to bond with our quartet.
After 6 days with them, one thing became abundantly clear:  They love to hug.  It's not a new observation by any means - heck, they've always been affectionate kids.  But trying to navigate the town with them and their daily schedule is a hilarious and endearing pattern of sincere embraces.  I tried to count how many hugs they doled out over the week, and lost track after the first hundred (seriously).  A few examples include...

• Their classmates at school.  
• Their classmates' parents at school (hey - if their hugging goodbye, why not join in?)
• The staff members at the gym.  Front desk, managers, the guy who runs the juice bar, and of course - they're favorite people in the kids club.  
• Coaches, players, parents and dogs out at the soccer fields.   
• EVERYONE on campus at Gen's school.  Faculty, staff, students - you name it.  
• Our waitress at the restaurant Saturday night.  In her words "My lord, that made my week!"
• Our pharmacist (we've seen her alot the last few months!)  
• The man who serviced our car at the shop.  Boy, they were not happy with me for not being able to run over and thank him.  But we settled on a quick fist bump and wave instead.

I'm filled with pride each time someone compliments how affectionate and outgoing they are.  While we agonize and stress over every minute area of development and educational milestone, it's nice to see the important areas where they excel.   There's no doubt this is 100% a result of Gen's influence (anyone who's met her can attest) and I'm an even prouder Dad tonight looking back on a fun week of witnessing it in full force.  

Hope you all had a great weekend.  Hugs from Quadville.  

Parents of the Year..

Every so often, Gen and the kids stop by the soccer fields on their way home.  It's nice to be in one place as a family, even if I'm coaching.

In addition to running around with "the big kids," our gang loves the challenge of scaling the mini-goals.  Russ is our natural climber, while the girls all give it the ole college try - but prefer to excel in their own respective areas.  Caught this video as we were wrapping up the night, and we've had quite a few laughs watching the end of the clip over and over.  Impressed with the little man's determination, but feeling a bit guilty for the lack of attention paid to Ally =)  Classic, classic, Ally.